A Customs and Border Protection agent is facing misconduct allegations for questioning a reporter about her sources

A Customs and Border Protection agent is being
investigated by the agency on accusations that he questioned
the New York Times reporter Ali Watkins about her confidential
sources.

Agent Jeffrey Rambo reportedly approached Watkins by
email and questioned her about her relationship with James
Wolfe.

Wolfe, the longtime security director for the Senate
Intelligence Committee, was arrested on charges of lying to the
FBI about giving "nonpublic information" to reporters.

Rambo's meeting with Watkins came as the White House,
sought to rein in leaks that have embarrassed the Trump
administration.

A Customs and Border Protection agent is reportedly being
investigated by the agency on accusations that he questioned a
New York Times reporter about her confidential sources, The
Washington Post reported Tuesday.

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Agent Jeffrey Rambo, who reportedly identified himself as a
government agent but withheld his name, questioned reporter Ali
Watkins after contacting her by email. According to the report,
Rambo and Watkins met at a restaurant where Rambo explained that
the White House was trying to unmask the confidential leakers in
various news reports.

Rambo's sitdown with Watkins, who was working for Politico at the
time, came as the White House sought to crack down on leaks.

His questions revolved around the alleged three-year relationship
between Watkins and James Wolfe, the longtime security director
for the Senate Intelligence Committee. Wolfe was arrested on charges of lying
to the FBI about giving "nonpublic information" to reporters.

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Rambo's questioning, during which he cited dates and locations of
Watkins's and Wolfe's overseas trips, reportedly unnerved
Watkins, according to one person familiar with the situation who
was cited by The Post.

The Post described Rambo's line of questioning as "unorthodox,"
given the subject matter, particularly because national security
leaks do not fall under the Customs and Border Protection
agency's jurisdiction. Rambo was reportedly not involved in the
FBI's investigation into Wolfe, according to a law-enforcement
official.

After The Post contacted the border patrol agency about Rambo's
involvement, a spokesman for the agency released a statement to
The Post saying it "takes all allegations of employee misconduct
seriously."

"The allegation has been immediately referred to CBP's Office of
Professional Responsibility," the spokesperson said. "We
encourage all members of the public to report any potential
misconduct immediately so that it may be investigated."

Watkins reportedly told The Times that Wolfe was not a
confidential source in her stories. Wolfe has denied leaking
classified information to reporters.